Eclipse is the total or partial disappearance of a celestial object behind another from eyesight. The total disappearance of a planetary object is called full eclipse and partial disappearance is called partial eclipse.

Most important eclipses

These are formed between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. The Sun is our illuminating body around which all other planets revolve. Since an eclipse is a temporary blocking of light and it occurs when the heavenly body’s brilliance is at its best.

1. A solar eclipse is one such phenomenon when the Sun is partially or fully covered by the Moon. It occurs on a new moon day when the longitude of the moon is near Rahu or Ketu and latitude of the Moon is near zero.


2. A lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day when the earth comes in between the Sun and the Moon. The Moon is at its brightest when earth’s shadow falls on the Moon thus making it eclipsed. Here also the longitude of the Moon should be near to Rahu or Ketu and latitude near zero. The lunar eclipse can also be partial or total depending on the shadow falling on the Moon.

In our solar system, the planets revolve around the Sun in their orbit. The planets are situated at different distances from the Sun, for instance Mercury is about 36 million miles away from the Sun, Venus is located at a distance of 67 million miles and earth has a distance of 91 million miles from the Sun. This way Moon, Mercury, and Venus can come between the Sun and the Earth resulting in an eclipse.

Similarly, Mars is situated at a distance of 128 million miles from the Sun, Jupiter is about 460 million miles far away and Saturn is stationed at a distance of 840 million miles from the Sun. The planets revolve around the Sun as it is the center of the solar system. When Venus and Mercury transit further from the Earth and are at the other side of their orbit, then Sun comes between these 2 planets and Earth. The Sun never transits between the Moon and the Earth.

A planetary combination is formed when 2 planets come close to a point of a sign. In this state, the planets influence the surrounding by their brightness which is called planetary arc. The Sun is the most powerful amongst all planets which have an arc of 170 minutes.

The Moon has 120 minutes arc and the rest of the planets have 70 minutes arc. It is auspicious if friendly planets make a combination. The combination of 2 inauspicious planets at a point of a sign gives negative results.

How are Planets Eclipsed

Planets make a combination with the Sun forming a relationship. When a planet comes close to the Sun it either becomes combust, inactive or eclipsed. In this circumstance, a planet is debilitated. But the combination with the Moon makes a planet strong.

A planet which is situated at 50 minutes distance from the Sun is fully eclipsed whereas one located at 100 minutes away from Sun is normally eclipsed and is out of eclipse after crossing the distance of 150 minutes from the Sun.

Impact of Eclipsed Planets

Vedic Astrologers give importance to planetary combinations in predictive astrology whereas western astrologers believe that planets are not as important as their combinations are.

In Vedic astrology planetary combinations are important in prediction, collecting information, transition and other astrological works like considering Muhurats etc. All of the stated planetary combinations have a great influence on human lives.

The idea of an eclipse “effect” refers to disruptive as well as constructive changes, and these can include natural and human-made disasters, geopolitical upheaval and transformation. The principle about eclipses having the most impact where they are visible and on the meridian is not always true; maybe it is true half the time, but definitely not always

Astrology teaches us that those born with their Moon, Sun, or ascendant in the Rashi or Nakshatra of the eclipsed luminaries will be the most affected by an eclipse. This would mean tiresome events, mental stress and strain, separation from relatives, or a situation of crisis, illness, accident, or death occurring around the individual.

Again, in the charts of leaders, these influences of eclipse will be related to the collective Karma of the nation more for them personally. It is important to note that fatal conditions can develop during this transit. The individual or nation whose chart is being eclipsed this way should be in:

1. a Chhidra-Dasha cycle at the time (on the edge between Dashas), which can indicate humiliation, loss of honor and many enemies.


2. in the Dasha and Bhukti of Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Mars, Sun or Moon, which can indicate a mishap or crisis.


3. in the Dasha of a Maraka or Badhaka Lord, and that Lord should be afflicted in the natal or eclipse chart, which can indicate death if the lifespan is complete (longevity calculations need to be done first).


4. and the eclipse should fall into a Trik house (6-8-12), in which all kinds of problems can ensue.

If someone is going through any of the above astrological transits, then the eclipse and extended period of months before and after may be more worrisome or dangerous, and it may not be a great time for travel, but instead, a time to “lie low” and take extra precautions for safety and security.